Shutout gives Chapman series win over La Verne

ORANGE, Calif. – In the rubber match of a three-game weekend series, the No. 13-ranked Chapman University baseball team scored nine times in its final two at-bats to turn a 2-0 pitcher's duel into an 11-0 win against visiting University of La Verne and capture the season series on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon at Hart Park. Sophomores Christian Maietta and Kevin Osaki combined to shutout the Leopards on just two hits and struck out 11.

Chapman (16-5) leadoff man sophomore OF James Parr hit the first pitch of the game into right-centerfield for a triple and scored on junior IF Tyler Hadzinsky's base hit – that proved to be the only offense the Panthers would require to win for the 15th time in their last 16 games. It was also Chapman's 10th straight win at home.

The Panthers scored two in the first and then a duel ensued between Chapman RHP Maietta and La Verne junior RHP Nathan Rollon. In fact, Rollon retired 14 out of 15 Chapman batters at one point in the game, inducing a double play following his only walk allowed. The Panthers had just three base hits in the first six innings.

Maietta (2-1) was even better, allowing just two hits and striking out eight in seven shutout innings.

In the seventh inning the Chapman offense exploded. Rollon was lifted after allowing a pair of Panther hits to lead off the inning and the Panthers took advantage of the Leopards' bullpen. Chapman followed with nine hits off three different La Verne relievers. Seven different Panthers drove in runs in the two innings, including a pair of RBI from sophomore IF Tyler Surnbrock.

Hadzinsky and junior OF Charlie Piro had three hits apiece to lead the Panthers offensively. Parr and freshman OF Adam Velez had a pair of hits and scored two runs.

Osaki pitched two perfect innings in relief with three strikeouts for Chapman to complete the team shutout.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2010-11/boxscores/20110320_kkkt.xml